Gene Pool

Gene Pool Definition

A gene pool is the collection of different genes within an interbreeding population. The concept of a gene pool usually refers to the sum of all the alleles at all of the loci within the genes of a population of a single species. It includes both genes that are expressed, and those that are not.

A population that has a large and diverse gene pool tends have increased biological fitness and is usually able to adapt to and survive throughout pressures caused by rapid changes in environmental conditions or disease. Although individuals may die in such situations, a diverse population often contains enough genetic variation so that there will be an availability of suitable genes that are necessary for survival. This is the basic concept behind the theory of natural selection.

A population with a narrow gene pool containing low diversity is more likely to suffer from reduced fitness when affected by stresses and is more likely to become extinct. This is either due to a low availability of alleles that are necessary for an organism to survive under certain conditions, or due to the consequences of inbreeding. When there is less variation between available alleles, there is a greater probability that a harmful allele, which causes a deformity or disease, will increase in frequency.

Over time, the size of any gene pool can change through natural selection, gene flow and genetic drift. The size may increase when a gene mutation occurs and survives, and decrease when alleles are removed, e.g. when a population goes through a bottleneck.

There can be several variations of each allele for each gene, some of which are dominant alleles and some of which are recessive alleles. Within genes, each allele variant occurs at a particular frequency, at a particular time. When small changes to allele frequency occur this is known as microevolution, large changes, or an accumulation of small changes results in macroevolution, both of which can result in speciation.

The genetic variation within the population is characterized by differences in allele frequency and determines the relative frequency of each phenotype displayed in a population. The phenotype of an individual is determined by its own genotype.

Examples of Gene Pool

Humans

Every human being on Earth is able to interbreed with one another as a single species. The human gene pool is therefore made up of every allele variant of the approximated 19,000-20,000 human genes within our DNA.

Butterflies

In a population of butterflies, there are two alleles at locus one. Individuals with the dominant allele have eyespots on their wings, while individuals whom are homozygous (have two of the same copies) for the recessive allele do not have eyespots.

A new predator is introduced, which rather than being deterred, is attracted to the eyespots.

The predator soon feeds on all of the butterflies that have eyespots. Because the eyespot allele is dominant, it is always expressed. So by predating all butterflies with an eyespot, the predator removes the allele for eyespots and the size of the butterfly gene pool decreases.

Eyespots could return to the population if a mutation of an allele occurs which causes eyespots and it is favored by natural selection. Alternatively, eyespots could return through gene flow if individuals from the original butterfly population mate with another butterfly population that has the allele for eyespots.

The image shows a butterfly with eyespots on its wing. In our example, the butterflies with eyespots are predated, which removes the allele that causes the eyespots, leaving only the recessive gene.

Related Biology Terms

Population – All of the inhabitants of an interbreeding species, within a particular place at a particular time.

Natural Selection – The process in which organisms which are able to adapt to their environment are able to survive and reproduce, while those which cannot adapt, do not survive or reproduce.

Genotype – The genetic makeup of an individual organism.

Phenotype – The observable characteristics of an individual, determined as a consequence of their genotype.

Quiz

1. What characteristic would leave a population better able to survive the spread of a new disease?A. A large and diverse set of allelesB. More frequent occurrence of dominant allelesC. More genes, which control for precise phenotypesD. Narrow range of alleles

Answer to Question #1

A is correct. A population with a large and diverse genetic variation, with many alleles, is more likely to survive diseases and rapid changes in environmental conditions.